The festive period in Fantasy Premier League is always chaotic, and Gameweek 16 is no exception. With AFCON looming, managers have been handed five free transfers to reshape squads before key assets depart. This week is about balancing short-term explosiveness with long-term stability, ensuring your team can withstand rotation and fixture congestion.
🎯 Why GW16 Matters
- AFCON departures: Salah, Mbuemo, Sarr and others will be unavailable from GW17 onwards.
- Fixture congestion: December rotation is brutal — nailed players are gold.
- Chip strategy: With chips resetting in GW20, plan Bench Boost or Wildcard now.
🔥 Top 5 Players to Target
1. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United, Midfielder)
- Fresh off an 18‑point haul vs Wolves.
- Penalty taker, bonus magnet, nailed for 90 minutes.
- Premium midfielder who thrives in December chaos.
2. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal, Midfielder)
- Three consecutive games with returns.
- Wolves at home in GW16, followed by Everton and Brighton.
- Arsenal’s talisman, penalties, and captaincy contender.
3. Igor Thiago (Brentford, Forward)
- 11 goals already this season.
- Penalty taker, budget gem at ÂŁ6.9m.
- Fixtures: Leeds, Wolves, Bournemouth — all favourable.
4. Raúl Jiménez (Fulham, Forward)
- Back leading the line, on penalties.
- Fixtures: Burnley, Forest, West Ham.
- Perfect enabler for Bench Boost, only 1.5% owned.
5. Phil Foden (Manchester City, Midfielder)
- Five goals in recent fixtures.
- 44 points in three weeks — explosive form.
- With Salah gone, Foden balances premium midfields.
đź“Š Quick Comparison
| Player | Position | Key Strengths | Fixtures GW16–18 | Ownership Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruno Fernandes | Midfield | Penalties, bonus, nailed minutes | Strong | Rising fast |
| Bukayo Saka | Midfield | Arsenal talisman, penalties, captaincy | Wolves, Everton | High & stable |
| Igor Thiago | Forward | Penalties, budget gem, home form | Leeds, Wolves | Rapidly rising |
| Raúl Jiménez | Forward | Penalties, nailed starter, enabler | Burnley, Forest | Low (differential) |
| Phil Foden | Midfield | Explosive form, nailed in XI | Mixed but strong | Surging |
🧩 Strategy Notes
- Sell Salah now before AFCON.
- Balance premiums and enablers: Fernandes/Saka/Foden with Thiago/Jiménez.
- Captaincy: Saka vs Wolves edges Haaland away at Palace.
- Differentials: Jiménez offers sneaky green arrows.
✍️ Final Word
Gameweek 16 is about anticipation and adaptation. With AFCON reshaping squads, managers must pivot to form players who are guaranteed minutes.
Bruno Fernandes, Bukayo Saka, Igor Thiago, Raúl Jiménez, and Phil Foden stand out as the five must-have assets. They combine explosive upside with fixture security, making them ideal for climbing ranks during the festive chaos.
If you’re chasing, lean into Thiago or Jiménez for differential value. If consolidating, Fernandes and Saka are your anchors. Either way, GW16 is the perfect launchpad for a strong December run.
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